Dispensing System and User Interface

ABSTRACT

A dispensing system may be configured to dispense a custom product based on a user selection. The user selection may be provided via a user interface of the dispensing system. The user interface may simultaneously display selectable icons for the available types of products (e.g., types of beverages) and other icons for modifying a chosen product (e.g., a flavoring or additive to a beverage, such as a sweetener or a cherry flavoring). The user interface may receive input from a user in order for the user to select a custom product (e.g., a custom drink) and the dispensing system may dispense the custom product to the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/010,643, filed on Jun. 18, 2018, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/976,344filed on Dec. 21, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.No. 13/664,848, filed Oct. 31, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,218,704, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/554,184, filedNov. 1, 2011, and entitled “DISPENSING SYSTEM AND USER INTERFACE.” Eachof the above identified applications are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Various dispensing systems, such as those at restaurants and otherentertainment and/or food service venues, typically allow a user toselect and receive a beverage, such as a soft-drink. A dispensing headis coupled to a drink syrup supply source via a single pipe dedicated tosupply drink syrup to each dispensing head. A user places a cup under alogo corresponding to the selected beverage and either presses a buttonor presses the cup against a dispensing lever to activate the dispenserso that the selected beverage is delivered from the dispensing headcorresponding to the selected beverage and into the cup until pressureis withdrawn from the button or lever.

A limited number of drinks are typically available at a conventionalbeverage dispenser. For example, drinks typically available at aconventional beverage dispenser are a regular cola beverage, a diet colabeverage, one or several non-cola carbonated beverages, such as alemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage or some other fruit-flavoreddrink (e.g., orange flavored carbonated beverage, and/or root beer), andone more non-carbonated beverage(s), such as a tea and/or a lemonade.

The conventional beverage dispenser generally provides information aboutthe available drinks using signage or labels for each type of drink(e.g., a label for each available soft-drink attached to the dispenserhead corresponding the selected beverage). As the number of availabledrinks increases, it becomes more difficult to provide informationrelated to the available drinks to a user.

There exists a need for an improved dispensing system and method toprovide an increased number of available products (e.g., beverages) andto more efficiently provide information related to the availableproducts.

SUMMARY

Described herein are methods and systems for providing an increasednumber of available products in a dispenser and/or for more efficientlyproviding information related to the products available in a dispenser.

One or more features relate to providing, on a display device of adispenser, a display screen that is arranged to allow a user to selectand cause dispensing of a custom beverage. In some arrangements, theuser may progress down the display screen to make desired selections,such as selections of a desired brand of beverage and/or one or moreflavorings that can be used as ingredients to the custom beverage. Forexample, in one or more embodiments, the display screen may include afirst region comprising a plurality of icons that represent the types orbrands of beverages available for dispensing from the dispenser as partof the custom beverage. Below the first region, the display screen mayinclude a second region comprising a plurality of modifier buttons thatrepresent flavorings or additives available for dispensing from thedispenser as part of the custom beverage. Below the first and secondregions, the display screen may include a third region comprising a pourbutton that causes the dispenser to dispense the custom beverage.

In some arrangements, the display screen may present all informationrequired to select and dispense a custom beverage to a usersimultaneously. For example, the display screen could, among otherfeatures, simultaneously include icons for the types or brands ofbeverages available for dispensing from the dispenser, buttons for theflavorings or additives that can be added to as part of the custombeverage, and a pour button that causes the dispenser to dispense thecustom beverage. Such arrangements may avoid more complex multi-layeredmethods of presenting information required to select and dispense acustom beverage.

The preceding presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosure. The summary is not anextensive overview of the disclosure. It is neither intended to identifykey or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope ofthe disclosure. The summary merely presents some concepts of thedisclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limited inthe accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicatesimilar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example communication networkin which one or more embodiments may be implemented.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example hardware platform on which at least someof the various elements described herein can be implemented.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a dispensing systemaccording to various aspects described herein.

FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate example interface displays according to variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example method for dispensing an availableproduct according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example of the progression of a user when usingan interface to select and/or dispense a desired product according tovarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method for updating a dispensing systemaccording to one or more aspects described herein.

FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate example interface displays for other embodimentsaccording to various aspects described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various illustrative embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a parthereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, variousembodiments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It isto be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structuraland functional modifications may be made, without departing from thescope of the present disclosure.

The embodiments discussed below may be used to form a wide variety ofproducts, such as beverages, including but not limited to cold and hotbeverages, and including but not limited to beverages known under anyPepsiCo branded name, such as Pepsi-Cola®.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an example communication networkin which one or more embodiments may be implemented. A dispensing systemmay be configured to dispense a product according to a user's selection.For example, a user may approach dispensing system 104, and interactwith the dispenser 104 to make a selection (e.g., input a code or pressa button corresponding to the desired product). In response, thedispenser 104 may dispense the selected product. In general, examples ofthis disclosure relate to a beverage dispensing system; however, variousaspects of this disclosure could be used in a dispenser for other typesof products (e.g., candy or snack dispenser).

Dispensing systems may be located across different locations orpremises. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates three dispensers: dispensingsystem 104, dispensing system 106 and dispensing system 108. In onearrangement, dispensing system 104 may be located in a conveniencestore, and dispensing systems 106 and 108 may be located at a school.

Additionally, in one or more arrangements, dispensing systems may beconnected to a controller. A controller may be centrally located and/ora separate controller may be incorporated into each dispenser. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, dispensing system 106 and 108 are connected tocontroller 105. Controller 105 may be configured to receive instructionsfrom dispensing system 106 and/or 108, and to cause the appropriatedispensing system to dispense an appropriate amount of the selectedproduct. For example, if dispensing system 106 is a beverage dispenser,a user may interact with the dispenser to select a beverage (e.g., via atouchpad, touch screen, keypad, etc.), instructions for the selectedbeverage may be transmitted to controller 105, and controller 105 may beconfigured to dispense an appropriate amount of the selected beverage inresponse to the instructions.

Components of a dispensing system may include a processor 120, memory130, software 140, and/or additional components suitable forimplementing the functions and methods of the dispensing system.Software 140 may be stored in computer-readable memory 130 such as readonly or random access memory in dispenser 104 and may includeinstructions that cause one or more components (e.g., processor 120,display, etc.) of a dispenser (e.g., dispenser 104) to perform variousfunctions and methods including those described herein.

A dispenser may communicate with other devices using one or morenetworks. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, dispensing system 104,106 and 108 may communicate with server 100 via network 102 and/ornetwork 103. Network 102 and network 103 may include multiple networksthat are interlinked so as to provide internetworked communications.Such networks may include one or more private or public packet-switchednetworks (e.g., the Internet), one or more private or publiccircuit-switched networks (e.g., a public switched telephone network), acellular network, a short or medium range wireless communicationconnection (e.g., Bluetooth®, ultra wideband (UWB), infrared, WiBree,wireless local area network (WLAN) according to one or more versions ofInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard no.802.11), or any other suitable network. Devices in communication witheach other (e.g., dispensing systems 104, 106, and 108, server 100,and/or data repository 101) may use various communication protocols suchas Internet Protocol (IP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), SimpleMail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), amongothers known in the art.

Server 100, controller 105, and dispensing systems 104, 106 and 108 maybe configured to interact with each other and other devices. In oneexample, dispenser 104 may include software 140 that is configured tocoordinate the transmission and reception of information to and fromserver 100. In one arrangement, software 140 may include application orserver specific protocols for requesting and receiving data from server100. For example, software 140 may comprise a browser or variantsthereof and server 100 may comprise a web server. In some arrangements,server 100 may transmit application data to dispensing systems, such assoftware updates to various components of the dispensing system (e.g.,updates to the user interface, updates to firmware of the dispensingsystem, updates to drivers of the dispensing system, etc.). In one ormore arrangements, server 100 may receive data from the dispensingsystems, such as data describing the current stock of the dispenser(e.g., a listing of products and the number remaining at the dispenser),operation history and/or usage metrics of the dispenser (e.g. counterstracking the selections of users of the machine), status of thedispenser (e.g., whether any components are working improperly), etc.Server 100 may be configured to access and store data in data repository101, such as data that it receives and transmits in data repository 101.Data repository 101 may also include other data accessible to server100, such as different drink recipes that can be downloaded todispensers.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example computing device on which at least some ofthe various elements described herein can be implemented, including, butnot limited to, various components of dispenser systems (e.g.,dispensers 104, 106 and 108, dispenser 300 of FIG. 3). Computing device200 may include one or more processors 201, which may executeinstructions of a computer program to perform, or cause to perform, anyof the steps or functions described herein. The instructions may bestored in any type of computer-readable medium or memory, to configurethe operation of the processor 201. For example, instructions may bestored in a read-only memory (ROM) 202, random access memory (RAM) 203,removable media 204, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive, compactdisk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD), floppy disk drive, flashcard, or any other desired electronic storage medium. Instructions mayalso be stored in an attached (or internal) hard drive 205.

Computing device 200 may include one or more output devices, such as adisplay 206, and may include one or more output device controllers 207,such as a video processor. There may also be one or more user inputdevices 208, such as a touch screen, remote control, keyboard, mouse,microphone, card reader, RFID reader, etc. The computing device 200 mayalso include one or more network interfaces, such as input/outputcircuits 209 to communicate with an external network 210. The networkinterface may be a wired interface, wireless interface, or a combinationof the two. In some embodiments, the interface 209 may include a modem(e.g., a cable modem), and network 210 may include the communicationlines of the networks illustrated in FIG. 1, or any other desirednetwork.

The FIG. 2 example is an illustrative hardware configuration.Modifications may be made to add, remove, combine, divide, etc.components as desired. Additionally, the components illustrated may beimplemented using basic computing devices and components, and the samecomponents (e.g., processor 201, storage 202, user input device 208,etc.) may be used to implement any of the other computing devices andcomponents described herein.

One or more aspects of the disclosure may be embodied in acomputer-usable data and/or computer-executable instructions, such as inone or more program modules, executed by one or more computers or otherdevices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types when executed by a processor ina computer or other data processing device. The computer executableinstructions may be stored on one or more computer readable media suchas a hard disk, optical disk, removable storage media, solid statememory, RAM, etc. The functionality of the program modules may becombined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. In addition,the functionality may be embodied in whole or in part in firmware orhardware equivalents such as integrated circuits, field programmablegate arrays (FPGA), controllers, application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICS), combinations of hardware/firmware/software, and thelike. Particular data structures may be used to more effectivelyimplement one or more aspects of the invention, and such data structuresare contemplated within the scope of computer executable instructionsand computer-usable data described herein.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a dispensing system, inparticular, a beverage dispenser. In some variations, beverage dispenser300 may be approximately six feet tall, two feet wide, and three feetdeep. Beverage dispenser 300 may be configured to dispense a beverage,such as a soft drink or a custom beverage made up of a base liquid(e.g., a brand of beverage) and one or more flavorings (e.g., lime,cherry, vanilla, and/or lemon flavorings). A user may make a beverageselection using touch screen 303 and/or other input components of thebeverage dispenser 300. To receive the selected beverage, a user mayplace a cup or other suitable container (e.g., bottle, can, pouch) on ornear shelf 302. When the container is in position to receive theselected beverage, the user may make selections on the touch screen 303to cause the selected beverage to be dispensed from a dispensing head.FIG. 3, via item 301, shows an approximate placement of a dispensinghead and a detail of a p01iion of a dispensing head. In one or morearrangements, a user may cause the dispensing of a drink by pressing abutton (e.g., a button labeled “pour”) or pressing the container againsta dispensing lever to activate the dispenser. In some embodiments, thebutton may be an icon on touch screen 303, or an electrical push buttonlocated elsewhere on the chassis of beverage dispenser 300.

The beverage dispenser 300 can include various components for dispensinga beverage, such as one or more of the following: a dispensing head, fordispensing the products; one or more repositories that store theproducts or ingredients for generating the products; and transfercomponents, such as ingredient systems, mixing systems, and/or piping,for transferring the products or ingredients from the repositories. Insome arrangements, an ingredient system may supply beverage ingredientsfor a greater number of beverages than the number of dispensing headsthat are included as part of beverage dispenser 300. In someembodiments, the ingredient system is hidden from by patrons orcustomers when using dispenser 300. Additionally, in some embodiments,components of the ingredient system may be located remotely frombeverage dispenser and piping may connect the beverage dispenser withthe remote ingredient system.

In one or more embodiments, the ingredient system may comprise aplurality of highly concentrated ingredients for micro dosing in thepreparation of a wide variety of beverages. For example, the ingredientsystem may be configured to use thirty-six beverage ingredients, such asone or more syrups provided by PepsiCo Inc. to form beverages knownunder any PepsiCo branded name, such as Pepsi-Cola®. Each beverageingredient may be stored in a cartridge or storage container.

Additionally, the ingredient system may hold a plurality of sweeteners,such as nutritive sweeteners and non-nutritive sweeteners. Eachsweetener may be stored in a cartridge or storage container. Sweetenersand ingredients may be transferred throughout the ingredient system orbeverage dispenser using pumps and input/output pump lines. For example,a pump may pump a nutritive sweetener through piping to a dispensinghead of the beverage dispenser 300, and another pump may do the same fora non-nutritive sweetener. Other pumps may be used to pump beverageingredients or water through piping to a dispensing head of the beveragedispenser 300. Another pump or pumps may be used to pump ice to adispensing head of the beverage dispenser 300. The beverage dispensermay include an ice machine.

In one or more arrangements, a beverage dispenser may comprise a watertreatment system, which may be used to treat water. For example, a watertreatment system (not shown) may be used to cool water to a desiredtemperature for a cold beverage. A second water treatment system (notshown) may be used to heat water to desired temperature for hotbeverages. A water treatment system may be any suitable water treatmentsystem that improves taste, reduces odors, or reduces chlorines, such asa system that improves water quality (e.g., via reverse osmosis).

The beverage dispenser 300 may be configured to combine the ingredients,sweeteners, and water to create a beverage. Dispenser 300 may beconfigured to mix water and one or more beverage ingredients accordingto one or more ratios such as about 200:1, or about 75:1, or about 40:1(e.g., in the form of a flavor or acid), for non-nutritive sweeteners,and about 6:1 for non-nutritive sweeteners. A base beverage may beprepared with about four streams, e.g., water, a sweetener, flavor, andacid. Additional streams may be added to provide top notes, such ascherry or vanilla flavor, or sweetener blends to reduce calories.

The beverage dispenser 300 may comprise one or more mixing chambers (notshown). Beverage ingredients may be supplied to mixing chambers fromtheir respective containers. For example, syrup and other beverageingredients may be pumped from their respective containers by pumps tomixing chambers as desired. These pumps may be driven by CO₂ from a tankand supplied through a CO₂, gas branch line. These pumps may compriseconventional syrup pumps, e.g., BIP pumps. Inlets to a mixing chambermay comprise a water supply line, a sweetener supply line, an acidsupply line, and a flavor supply line. The sweetener, acid, and flavoringredients supplied to mixing chamber may be highly concentratedamounts of those ingredients that have been mixed with water prior tobeing supplied to the mixing chamber, e.g., a ratio of beverageingredient to water of about 200 to 1 by weight. After being mixed withwater from water supply line, the mixture exiting a mixing chamber mayhave a lesser ratio of beverage ingredient to water (e.g., 1 to 5 byweight).

The beverage dispenser 300 may comprise a doser unit that includes adispenser head. A doser unit may receive liquid under pressure and doseappropriately to provide a desired beverage. The dosing of a beverageingredient may be between about 0.1 cc up to about 0.1 cc to about 17cc. In one embodiment, dosing may be about 0.5 cc to 17 cc for nutritivesweetener. In some arrangements, dosing may be performed by a slidingvane pump, or other suitable positive displacement pump, gear pumppiston pump, oscillating pump, or diaphragm pump. The pump may becontrolled through, pulse width modulation, stroked or stepped todeliver the appropriate volume of an ingredient to form a beverage.Those of skill in the art will recognize that control of delivery may beachieved through use of an intelligent device, such as a computer orpurpose embedded electronics. In one or more embodiments, a doser unitmay comprise an ice hopper.

As shown in the blow-up view of a portion of dispenser head 301 in FIG.3, a micro bundle may be used to dispense the selected beverage from thebeverage dispenser 300. In the embodiment depicted, micro bundle 301comprises an ice line 380, nine carbonated water lines 304-320, ninenon-carbonated water lines 321-337 (including one that may bere-circulated or created on demand, e.g., from the cold water circuit),eighteen flavor lines 338-355, eighteen acid lines 356-373, a nutritivesweetener line 376, and a non-nutritive sweetener line 378. Micro bundle301 may comprise any suitable cladding, including slots and piping.

A beverage ingredient, such as a sweetener, may be sent through a microbundle to get better mixing. For example, in one or more embodiments,instead of using a traditional ⅜″ inside diameter (ID) or ¼″ ID pipewherein a sweetener may be dropped to the bottom of a cup and a consumermay not taste the sweetener when drinking a top portion of the beveragein a cup, smaller microtubes may be used to get better mixing and havemultiple dispense points, and allow for greater dispersion throughoutthe beverage.

The beverage dispenser 300 may comprise not only a central acid andflavor system, but also a local dairy and/or juice system. In suchembodiments, a beverage may be prepared with a shot of juice, e.g., acola with a shot of lemon juice and/or lime juice. A beverage, such as acool frappuccino or hot coffee, may be prepared with a shot of a dairyproduct, e.g., milk or cream.

The beverage dispenser 300 may comprise auto sanitizing systems. Thesanitizing system may include a sanitizer cartridge, such as a sanitizercartridge replacing an ingredient cartridge. When sanitizing, one ormore components of the system may be locked so that a sanitizing cyclemay be run without interruption. For example, a lock out feature withcartridge recognition of the sanitizer may be provided to preventunintentional beverage dispensing. The lock out feature with cartridgerecognition of the sanitizer may have mechanical and electrical safetyredundancy.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the beverage dispenser 300 mayinclude fast fill systems, such as a fast fill system that allows forfast fill from the bottom of a cup.

The beverage dispenser 300 can be configured to perform variousfunctions related to the dispensing of beverages. For example, thebeverage dispenser 300 may be configured to receive money from a user,recognize the value paid for a beverage, and return any remainder fromthe value paid from the price of the dispensed beverage. Additionally,the beverage dispenser 300 may be configured to provide variable pricingbased on drink brands, drink choice, and cup size. In some embodiments,the beverage dispenser 300 may be configured to issue a cup to a userwith a code corresponding to the size and the type of beverage ordered.

To facilitate a user's selection, a dispenser may include a userinterface implemented using software, hardware, firmware, orcombinations thereof. Information that represents the drinks orbeverages available to a user can be provided by display screens thatare provided on a touch screen (e.g., touch screen 303 of FIG. 3), anLCD flat panel, or the like. In general, an interface for display on atouch screen may use various icons, buttons, screen locations, graphicsand/or text to provide one or more display screens and, using the touchscreen, buttons or other user interface widgets of each display screenmay be actuated by a user to cause changes in the displayed interface.Additional or alternative methods of input could be used to causechanges in the displayed user interface, such as, for example, akeyboard, keypad, mouse, electric push buttons, and/or levers. When abutton or widget is pressed, the user interface may show highlighting orsome other visual indicator with respect to the actuated button/widget.

FIGS. 4A-4E illustrate example user interface displays that can be usedas part of an interface. In particular, FIGS. 4A-4E show differentdisplay screens for an example embodiment of an interface for a beveragedispensing system. As will be more fully discussed below, a user mayprogress down a display screen, such as display screen 400-a of FIG. 4A,to make desired selections, such as selections of a desired brand ofbeverage and one or more flavorings that can be used as ingredients tothe custom beverage. A display screen, such as display screen 400-a ofFIG. 4A, may present all information required to select and dispense acustom beverage to a user simultaneously. As illustrated in FIG. 4A,icons for each type or brand of beverage that is available at thedispenser may be displayed at screen region 405. The icons may bearranged such that each icon is placed in a rotating carousel or otherrotating pattern. For example, as illustrated by display screen 400-a,an icon for Pepsi Max® may be placed at screen location 410-a, an iconfor Diet Mountain Dew® may be placed at screen location 410-b, an iconfor Mountain Dew® may be placed at screen location 410-c, an icon forMug® Root Beer may be placed at screen location 410-d, an icon forMirinda® may be placed at screen location 410-e, an icon for LiptonBrisk® Iced Tea may be placed at screen location 410-f, an icon forPepsi-Cola® may be placed at screen location 410-g, and an icon for DietPepsi-Cola® may be placed at screen location 410-h.

In one or more embodiments, the icons that form a part of the carouselmay be displayed with sizes based on the icons' screen locations.Accordingly, some icons may be displayed with different sizes. Forexample, as illustrated by display screen 400-a, the icon at screenlocation 410-e (e.g., the icon for Mirinda®) may be displayed smallerthan the icon at screen location 410-a (the icon for Pepsi Max®), etc.Additionally, some icons may be displayed with similar or equal sizes.For example, as illustrated by display screen 400-a, the icon at screenlocation 410-d (e.g., the icon for Mug® Root Beer) may be equal to theicon at screen location 410-f (e.g., the icon for Brisk® iced Tea), etc.

In some arrangements, the icons that form a part of the carousel mayoverlap one or more adjacent icons. For example, the icon at screenlocation 410-b (e.g., the icon for Diet Mountain Dew®, as shown in FIG.4A) may be displayed as being overlapped by the icon at screen location410-a (e.g., the icon for Pepsi Max®, as shown in FIG. 4A) and displayedas overlapping the icon at screen location 410-c (e.g., the icon forMountain Dew®, as shown in FIG. 4A).

The icons that form a part of the carousel may be simultaneously movedto different screen locations to provide an appearance that the carouselhas rotated. For example, the icons of screen region 405 may be movedcounter clock-wise and clockwise. For example, turning to FIG. 4B,screen region 405 shows the icons that form a part of the carousel ashaving been moved one location clockwise with respect to the screenlocations illustrated by FIG. 4A. The icon for Diet Pepsi-Cola® that isshown in screen region 405 of FIG. 4B is now displayed as being at thefront of the carousel and it may be displayed as the largest icon and itmay be displayed unobstructed by other icons.

In some arrangements, there may be an animation that shows each iconmoving to its new screen location, such that the icons appear to slideacross the screen. In others, each icon may simply disappear (or fadeout) from the old screen locations and appear (or fade in) at the newscreen locations.

A user may interact with the user interface to initiate the movement ofthe carousel in various ways. In some arrangements, a user may actuate ascroll button (e.g., via arrows 420) to cause the carousel to rotate ina particular direction.

The icons for the types or brands of beverages available in thedispenser (e.g., the icons shown at region 405 of FIGS. 4A-4E) may bedisplayed such that, when selected, the selected icon is moved to thefront of the carousel. For example, with respect to display screens400-a through 400-e of FIGS. 4A-4E, a user may actuate one of the iconsof region 405 to cause the carousel to rotate until the actuated icon isat the front of the carousel. In one example, a user could actuate theicon for Mountain Dew® to cause the carousel shown at region 405 of FIG.4A to change to the carousel shown at region 405 of FIG. 4C. In somearrangements, the direction the carousel rotates may be dependent on thedistance to the front of the carousel. In one example, with respect toFIG. 4A, pressing the icon for Mountain Dew® at screen location 410-cmay cause the carousel to rotate counter-clockwise until the icon forMountain Dew® is at the front of the carousel (e.g., at screen location410-a). Pressing the icon for Lipton Brisk® Iced Tea at screen location410-f may cause the carousel to rotate clockwise until the icon forLipton Brisk® Iced Tea is at the front of the carousel (e.g., at screenlocation 410-a). In other arrangements, the carousel may always rotatein a single direction upon actuation of an icon of region 405 (e.g.,always rotate clockwise).

In some arrangements, a user may actuate one or more buttons thatdescribe a desired property for the visible brands of beverages. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 4D, region 450 may include a button 455-athat, when actuated, causes the carousel to display only brands ofbeverages that have bubbles; a button 455-b that, when actuated, causesthe carousel to display only icons for beverages that have no bubbles; abutton 455-c that, when actuated, causes the carousel to display onlybrands of beverages that are diet; and a button 455-d that, whenactuated, causes the carousel to display only brands of beverages thatinclude iced tea. In FIG. 4D, button 455-c has been selected and thecarousel of region 405 may include only diet beverages. In somearrangements buttons 455-a, 455-b, 455-c and 455-d can be implemented astoggle buttons. When a toggle button is not highlighted (e.g., button455-a of FIG. 4A) the toggle button would not affect what icons aredisplayed at the carousel of region 405 (e.g., all available brands aredisplayed in region 405 of FIG. 4A). When a toggle button is highlighted(e.g., button 455-c of FIG. 4D) the toggle button may affect what iconsare displayed in the carousel of region 405.

In some embodiments, the dispenser may receive user preferenceinformation to change the visibility of the icons. For example, the usermay insert or swipe a memory card or RFID card at the dispenser. Thedispenser could read preference information, such as a past purchasehistory for the user or user-preferred types or brands of beverages, andthe visibility of the icons could be changed based on the preferenceinformation. For example, the types or brands of available beveragescould be compared to the user preference information, and if a match isfound (e.g., the user preference information includes an identificationof Pepsi Max®), the icon for the matching beverage may be shownprominently in the carousel. Any type or brand of available beveragesthat does not have a match in the user preference information could bemade invisible.

Other methods of transmitting user preference information to thedispenser could be used. For example, the user could transmit userpreference information via Bluetooth® from a mobile device to thedispenser to customize the displayed user interface. Additionally, a cupbearing an RFID identifier may be prepared and made available to theuser. The RFID identifier may include information identifying aparticular brand of beverage, and the interface could be changed todisplay only that particular brand of beverage in the carousel.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the selected type or brand of beverage may be shownat location 425. The selected type or brand may be changed by the user.For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, location 425 shows that Pepsi Max® hasbeen selected.

In some arrangements, the interface may automatically choose theselected brand based on user interactions with the interface. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 4A, the user can select the icon for MountainDew® and the interface can cause that brand to be the selected brand ofbeverage, among other changes (e.g., rotating the carousel such that theicon for Mountain Dew® is at the front of the carousel and displayingMountain Dew® as the brand in location 425, as shown in FIG. 4C).

In one or more embodiments, the interface may change the selected brandonly upon a designated user input. For example, a brand may be selectedonly when it is at the front of the carousel. In FIG. 4A, for example,Pepsi Max® could be made the selected brand upon a user selecting theicon for Pepsi Max®, because it is at the front of the carousel.Selecting another icon of region 405 of FIG. 4A may only cause thecarousel to change such that the actuated icon is moved to the front ofthe carousel. Thus, in some instances, the brand of beverage at thefront of the carousel could be different than the brand displayed inlocation 425.

In some embodiments, the user may be able to select one or moremodifiers that can be dispensed with the selected type or brand ofbeverage. Modifiers may include additives or flavorings for a beverage.For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4E, region 430 may include a modifierbutton 435-a that, when selected, causes the dispenser to select cherryflavoring; a modifier button 435-b that, when selected, causes thedispenser to select lemon flavoring; a modifier button 435-c that, whenselected, causes the dispenser to select lime flavoring; a modifierbutton 435-d that, when selected, causes the dispenser to selectraspberry flavoring; a modifier button 435-e that, when selected, causesthe dispenser to select strawberry flavoring; and a modifier button435-f that, when selected, causes the dispenser to select vanillaflavoring. Multiple flavorings may be simultaneously selected in somevariations.

In some embodiments, the visibility of the icons in region 430 maychange based on various states of the user interface. For example, thevisibility of the icons of region 430 may change based on userpreference information read from a memory card supplied by a user (e.g.,a card inserted or swiped into the dispenser that includes informationidentifying one or more flavorings to display to the user), informationtransmitted by a user to the dispenser (e.g., transmitted informationidentifying one or more flavorings to display via a Bluetooth connectionfrom a mobile phone), information transmitted via an RFID tag (e.g., aRFID tag that includes information identifying one or more flavorings todisplay to the user), or the like.

In one or more arrangements, the user may interact with the interface tochoose whether to dispense ice. As shown in FIGS. 4A-4E, the user mayselect an ice button 440 that, when actuated, causes the dispenser todispense ice. When the machine is dispensing ice and/or when the icebutton 440 is actuated, the ice button 440 may be highlighted (e.g., asshown in FIG. 4B).

In some arrangements, the interface may include other icons, buttons,graphics, widgets or text, such as, for example, for selecting an amountof flavoring or additive to add to the custom beverage; for selecting anamount of the selected brand to add to the custom beverage; forselecting a total amount of the custom beverage (e.g., via a selectedcup size and/or number of ounces); or advertisements.

In some embodiments, the user may choose whether to dispense a beverageaccording to the dispenser's current settings. For example, a user mayselect pour button 445 that, when selected, causes the dispenser todispense a beverage or a combination of a selected brand of beverage andone or more selected additives or flavorings. As an example, pour button445 may be actuated and Mountain Dew® could be dispensed becauseMountain Dew® is the selected brand (as shown by location 425 of FIG.4C). As another example, as shown in FIG. 4E, pour button 445 may beactuated and Pepsi Max® could be dispensed in combination with limeflavoring because Pepsi Max® is the selected brand and lime flavoring isselected. In some arrangements, the dispenser may dispense a beveragefor as long as the pour button 445 remains actuated.

In some variations, a user may be able to select multiple types orbrands of beverages. For example, a user may select the icon for PepsiMax® and the icon for Mountain Dew® and then may select pour button 445.As a response, the dispenser may dispense a mixture of Pepsi Max® andMountain Dew®.

The manner in which a user interacts with the interface of the dispenserto select and/or dispense a beverage can vary. FIG. 5A illustrates anexample method for dispensing an available product according to one ormore variation.

At step 501, a user interface may be displayed on a display device ofthe dispenser. This may include displaying an initial display screen(e.g., display screen 400-a of FIG. 4A) on the display device (e.g.,touch screen 303 of FIG. 3).

At step 503, a selection of a type or brand of beverage may be receivedvia input from the user. For example, a user may select Mountain Dew® byselecting the icon having the Mountain Dew® logo. The user may scrollthrough the different brands that are available (e.g., via displaybuttons 420 of FIGS. 4A-4E) until Mountain Dew® is selected.

At step 505, a selection of one or more modifiers to a beverage may bereceived via input from the user. For example, a user may select limeflavoring by pressing a button having a lime graphic (e.g., button 435-cof FIG. 4A). In response, the interface may highlight the button toindicate that lime flavoring is selected and can be added when creatingthe custom beverage (e.g., as seen in display screen 400-e of FIG. 4E).If desired, additional selections of other modifiers can be made by theuser (e.g., the additives/flavorings represented by modifier buttons435-a, 435-b, 435-d, 435-e and/or 435-f of FIGS. 4A-4E).

At step 507, a command to dispense the custom beverage may be receivedvia input from the user. For example, a user may have selected PepsiMax® and lime flavoring (e.g., as shown by location 425 of FIG. 4E andmodifier button 435-c of FIG. 4E), and the user may press pour button445.

At step 509, the interface can cause the dispenser to dispense thecustom beverage as a mixture of the type or brand of beverage selectedat step 503 and the one or more modifiers selected at step 505, Forexample, as a response to the actuation of the pour button 445 of step507, the interface may highlight pour button 445 (e.g., as shown indisplay screen 400-e of FIG. 4E) and cause the dispenser to dispense amixture of Pepsi Max® and lime flavoring.

Although the example method of FIG. 5 shows a particular order of steps,the exact order of the above steps could change (e.g., step 505 couldoccur prior to step 503), and the dispenser could receive additionalinput from the user before, after, and in between particular steps ofthe above example method (e.g., receive an actuation of one of scrollbuttons 420, receive an actuation of the ice button 440, receive anactuation of one or more of buttons 455-a through 455-d, receive anactuation of a button allowing a user to select a desired amount ofcarbonation). The order of the steps and/or what input is receivedduring the course of a user's interaction with a dispenser may bedependent on the organization of the user interface.

In some arrangements, the user interface may be organized to facilitatethe manner in which a user makes selections for a desired beverage. Theuser interface may be generally organized in a top down manner so thatthe user can start at the top of a display screen (e.g., display screen400-a of FIG. 4A) and make selections by moving down the interface(e.g., selecting a desired property for a desired brand of beverage atregion 450 of FIG. 4A, traverse down the display screen to region 405,selecting a brand of beverage at region 405 of FIG. 4A, traverse downthe display screen to region 430, and selecting one or more modifiersfor adding to the selected brand at region 430). For example, thecarousel region 405 may be located above region 430, which includes themodifiers for the beverage. Such a placement may be implemented becausea user could be more likely to select the brand of beverage prior to anyadditive or flavoring to be added to the beverage. Pour button 44S maybe located near the bottom because a user may be more likely to begindispensing the custom beverage after selecting the additives/flavorings.Similarly, buttons in region 4S0 may be located above the carouselbecause a user may be more likely to actuate such buttons prior tomaking a selection of a desired brand of beverage. Ice button 440 may beplaced near pour button 44S because a user may be more likely to put icein their cup just prior to dispensing the custom beverage.

FIG. 5B illustrates an example of the progression of a user when usingan interface to select and dispense a desired product. At step 511, auser may begin at the top of display screen 550 to view the availablebrands and may select a desired brand of beverage (e.g., via aninteraction with the carousel of region 405 and/or an interaction withscroll buttons 420, etc.). In some instances, a user may begin at region450 and may select a desired property for the desired brand of beverage(e.g., via an interaction with the buttons of region 450) and thenproceed down to region 405. The user's selection of a brand of beverageat step 511 can be used as the input for step 503 of FIG. 5A. As theuser progresses down the user interface's display screen, the user mayconfirm the desired beverage is selected by viewing location 425.Continuing the user's progression down the interface display, at step513 of FIG. 5B, the user can view the available modifiers by viewingmodifier buttons 435-a through 435-f and may make a selection of one ormore desired modifiers. The user's selection at step 513 can be used asthe input for step 505 of FIG. 5A. The user may confirm that the desiredmodifiers are selected by confirming whether each of the desiredmodifiers is highlighted in the display screen 550 (e.g., button 435-cfor lime flavoring is highlighted in display screen 550). Continuing theuser's progression down the interface display, at step 515, the user maypress the pour button 445. The user's actuation of pour button 445 maybe used as the input for step 507 of FIG. 5A. Finally, below the displayscreen 550 and upon actuation of pour button 445, at step 517 of FIG.5B, the dispenser may dispense the custom beverage (e.g., a mixture ofPepsi Max® and lime flavoring), which a user can receive in cup 560.

Further, in some embodiments, the user interface could present allinformation required to select and dispense a custom beverage to a usersimultaneously. For example, with respect to display screens 400-athrough 400-e of FIGS. 4A-4E, the user may be simultaneously presentedwith the available beverages via the carousel of region 405, which brandof beverage is currently selected via location 425, and which flavoringor additives can be added to create the custom beverage via the buttons435-a through 435-f of region 430. In other words, the carousel ofregion 405, the buttons of region 430, and other items (e.g., buttons ofregion 450, scroll buttons 420, selected brand widget 425, ice button440, and/or pour button 445) may always be displayed to a user on asingle display screen while the user is interacting with the userinterface to select and dispense a custom beverage.

The icons of the carousel may be ordered in the carousel according tovarious criteria. For example, an operator or supplier of the dispensermay choose the order of the icons in the carousel (e.g., the icon forPepsi-Cola® is adjacent to Diet Pepsi-Cola®, etc.). Additionally, theicons of the carousel may be selected or ordered based on time of day(or day of the week, etc.). For example, the interface may be coded suchthat certain brands are located next to each other on the carousel atparticular times of the day.

Icons of the carousel may also be ordered based on usage of thedispenser. For example, more popular brands of beverages could belocated adjacent to each other, while less popular brands of beveragesare located adjacent to each other. In one example, with respect todisplay screens 400-a through 400-e of FIGS. 4A-4E, Pepsi Max® may bethe brand that is most commonly dispensed from the dispenser, while DietMountain Dew® and Diet Pepsi-Cola® are less commonly dispensed thanPepsi Max® but more commonly dispensed than the remaining availablebrands (e.g., Mountain Dew®, Mug® Root Beer, Mirinda® Lipton Brisk® IcedTea, and Pepsi-Cola®). Popularity of brands may vary from dispensingmachine to another in some variations (e.g., based on a dispenser'shistorical usage history). Similar criteria-based ordering may beimplemented for other regions of the interface, such as the ordering ofmodifier buttons 435-a through 435-f of region 430 and/or buttons 455-athrough 455-e of region 450.

The interface may have a default state that provides an initialpresentation of information to a user, such as a display screen wherethe carousel always has a particular brand at the front of the carousel.For example, an operator or supplier of the dispenser may desire topromote a particular brand of beverage (e.g., Pepsi Max®) and,therefore, may arrange the interface such that the particular brand ismoved to the front of the carousel when the interface returns to itsdefault state (e.g., when returning to the default state, the interfacepresents display screen 400-a of FIG. 4A). Additionally, the interfacemay be arranged such that the brand that is moved to the front of thecarousel depends on various criteria, such as the criteria mentionedabove with respect to the ordering of icons in the carousel (e.g., timeof day, usage of the dispenser, etc.). The interface may return to thedefault state after dispensing of a custom beverage and/or after athreshold amount of idle time.

After the dispenser is in service, an operator or supplier of thedispenser may wish to update or change various components of thedispenser. For example, an operator or supplier of the dispenser maychange which brands of beverages or flavorings are available at thedispenser. In some arrangements, the operator or supplier may update thedispenser via a server in communication with the dispenser (e.g., server100 of FIG. 1).

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method for updating a dispensing systemaccording to one or more aspects of the disclosure. At step 601, acomputing system of the dispenser may be initialized from an off stateto provide a display screen on a display device of the dispenser (e.g.,display screen 400-a of FIG. 4A onto touch screen 303 of FIG. 3).

At step 603, the computing system of the dispenser may establish aconnection with a server (e.g., server 100 of FIG. 1). At step 605, uponestablishing a connection with the server, the computing system may waitfor an instruction from the server to perform an update. Waiting for aninstruction from the server can include periodically determining whetheran instruction to update has been received at the computing device. Insome arrangements, an instruction to update can include anidentification of which update to perform (e.g., a version number forthe updated software package, etc.).

At step 607, upon receiving an instruction to update, the computingsystem of the dispenser may transmit a request to the server thatdirects the server to being providing the update to the dispenser. Insome embodiments, the request may be an acknowledgement of theinstruction that was received at step 605. The request could alsoinclude an identification of which update the server is to send to thedispenser (e.g., the version number received as part of the instructionto update received at step 605).

At step 609, the computing device of the dispenser may receive theupdate from the server. The update could be an update to variouscomponents of the dispenser. For example, it may be an update tosoftware, firmware or drivers used by the dispenser's computing device.As one example, the update may be an update to recipes used whencreating the custom beverage. For example, the update may change theamounts of ingredients (e.g., flavorings, additives, water, syrups,etc.) used when creating the custom beverage. The update may also updatethe user interface of the dispenser. For example, it could change whattypes or brands of beverages are available at the dispenser and/or thetypes of additives or flavorings that are available. The update may alsochange the appearance of the user interface such as, for example, bymodifying the amount of overlap between adjacent icons of the carousel;modifying where icons that form a part of carousel are placed in thedisplay screen; modifying the order in which icons are displayed;updating graphics and/or text used by the user interface, and the like.

At step 611, the computing device may install the update received atstep 609. Upon installation, the computing device may perform a reset orotherwise proceed back to step 601 for re-initialization.

Although the above discussion describes various embodiments of a userinterface that are suitable for allowing a user to select and dispense abeverage from a dispenser, other embodiments may be used that share oneor more variations. For example, FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate exampleinterface displays for other embodiments including an alternative to thecarousel display of FIGS. 4A-4E. In some arrangements, FIG. 7A shows adisplay screen 700-a initially displayed to a user. The other displayscreens (e.g., 700-b, 700-c, 700-d, and 700-e) of FIGS. 7B-7E may bedisplayed to a user based on various inputs received from the user whilethe user interacts with the dispenser.

As illustrated in FIG. 7A, icons for the types or brands of availablebeverages may be displayed in a matrix format at region 705. The matrixformat of region 705 can be defined by the placement, size and/or orderof the icons forming the matrix. For example, icons for the differenttypes or brands of available beverages may be placed at screen locations710-a, 710-b, 710-c, 710 d, 710-e, 710-f and 710-g. The placement, sizeand order of the icons of the matrix format may be determined similarlyto the methods described above with respect to the icons of the carouselof FIGS. 4A-4E. For example, a user could actuate button 755-a, 755-b,755-c, 755-d of region 750 to change the icons that are visible inregion 705. A user may actuate button 755-c and only diet beverages maybe displayed in region 705, as shown by display screen 700-c of FIG. 4C.

The icons of region 705 may be implemented as selectable icons that,when actuated, cause a new display screen to be presented. For example,if the user actuates the icon for Pepsi-Cola®, a display screen such as700-b of FIG. 7B may be displayed. Display screen 700-b may includeregion 760 that includes a display icon 725 for the currently selectedbrand of beverage; various buttons representing the modifiers (e.g.,additives or flavorings) that are available, such as modifier buttons735-a, 735-b, 735-c, 735-d, 735-e and 735-f; an ice dispenser button740; and a pour button 745.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7E, the organization of the matrix format maychange dependent on whether there is a current brand selected. Forexample, the layout of the matrix format at region 705 may change suchthat icons are placed at screen locations 710-h, 710-i, 710-j, 710-k,710-m and 710-n when a brand of beverage is selected by the user.Buttons 755-a, 755-b, 755-c and 755-d of region 750 may be actuated tochange what is visible in the matrix format of region 705 when a brandof beverage is selected, such as illustrated by FIG. 7D.

The invention herein has been described and illustrated with referenceto the embodiments of the figures, but it should be understood that thefeatures of the invention are susceptible to modification, alteration,changes or substitution without departing significantly from the spiritof the invention. For example, the dimensions, number, size and shape ofthe various components may be altered to fit specific applications. Forexample, each of the features of the aforementioned illustrativeexamples may be utilized alone or in combination or subcombination withelements of the other examples. For example, any of the above describedsystems and methods or parts thereof may be combined with the othermethods and systems or part thereof described above. For example, thesteps illustrated in the illustrative figures may be performed in otherthan the recited order, and that one or more steps illustrated may beoptional in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, thespecific embodiments illustrated and described herein are forillustrative purposes only and the invention is not limited except bythe following claims and their equivalents. Aspects of the disclosurehave been described in terms of illustrative embodiments thereof. Thedescription is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead ofrestrictive on the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for selecting and customizing productscomprising: a display screen comprising: a first region comprising aplurality of product icons that represent products available forselection; a second region comprising a plurality of modifier icons thatrepresent customizable aspects of the product; and a third regioncomprising a selection button that allows for selection of thecustomized product, wherein the display is arranged to allow a user tocustomize and select a product using a progression from a top region ofthe display screen to a bottom region of the display screen.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein a portion of the first region is locatedabove the second region on the display screen and a portion of thesecond region is located above the third region on the display screen.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first region, the second region,and the third region are displayed simultaneously.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the display screen comprises a touchscreen element. 5.The system of claim 1, wherein the product icons are displayed as partof a moveable carousel.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the modifiericons are displayed in a matrix arrangement.
 7. The system of claim 1,further comprising a fourth region comprising a plurality of productproperty icons that represent a product property of at least one of theplurality of products.
 8. A display system comprising: a display screen;a first icon representing a product and being disposed in a first regionof the display screen; a second icon representing a modification of theproduct and being disposed in a second region of the display screen suchthat a portion of the second region is positioned below the firstregion; and a third icon representing confirmation of a selection of thefirst icon and the second icon, the third icon being disposed in a thirdregion of the display screen such that a portion of the third region ispositioned below the second region, wherein the first icon, second icon,and third icon allow a user to select and customize a product.
 9. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the first region, the second region, and thethird region are arranged to allow a user to begin at a top region ofthe display screen and proceed to a bottom region of the display screenduring product selection, customization, and delivery.
 10. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the second icon is configured to remain invisible untilthe first icon is selected.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the firsticon, the second icon, or the third icon are configured to changelocations on the display screen in response to a selection of one of thefirst icon, the second icon, or the third icon.
 12. The system of claim8, wherein the product is a beverage and the modification of the productis either a flavoring or an additive.
 13. The system of claim 9, furthercomprising a plurality of first icons, each of the plurality of firsticons representing a different product, wherein the plurality of firsticons are arranged in a moveable carousel.
 14. The system of claim 8,further comprising a fourth region comprising a plurality of productproperty icons that represent a product property of at least one of theplurality of products.
 15. A method of customizing a beverage selectioncomprising: displaying a plurality of beverage icons representing aplurality of beverage products in a first region of a display screen;displaying a plurality of modifier icons in a second region of thedisplay screen in response to a selection of one of the plurality ofbeverage icons, the plurality of modifier icons representingmodifications to the plurality of beverage products; displaying a pourbutton in a third region of the display screen in response to aselection of one of the plurality of modifier icons; and delivering acustomized beverage product in response to a selection of the pourbutton.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising changing thelocation on the display screen of one or more of the product icons, themodifier icons, or the pour button in response to a selection of one ormore of the product icons, the modifier icons, or the pour button. 17.The method of claim 15, further comprising: displaying a plurality ofbuttons representing product properties in a fourth region of thedisplay screen after displaying the plurality of beverage icons;receiving a selection of one or more of the buttons; rendering thebeverage icons that do not have the properties represented by theselected buttons invisible.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein theproduct icons are arranged in a moveable carousel, further comprising:rotating the moveable carousel in response to an input.
 19. The methodof claim 15, wherein the displaying the plurality of modifier iconsoccurs after the displaying the plurality of beverage icons.